COBC Newsletter  March 2022


Renewal FAQ | 2022 Board Appointments

 

RENEW YOUR LICENCE BY MARCH 31

Simply use the RENEWAL tab in your online account!

 

Renewal: Frequently Asked Questions

COBC's Renewal Guidebook 2022

How do I renew my licence?
All you need to do is log in to your COBC account and use the RENEWAL tab to submit the application and payment. You can check out our Renewal Guidebook for step-by-step instructions!

What device/system should I use?
The COBC portal isn't optimized for mobile, so we recommend using a laptop or a desktop computer if you have access to one. Our site functions best in Chrome and Firefox browsers.

I forgot my password. How do I get into my account?
If you've forgotten your password and have not yet set up your security questions, you'll need to contact COBC to receive a temporary password in order to log in.

When is the best time to renew? Can I wait until March 31?
Sooner is always better when it comes to renewal. If you wait until March 31 to start the process, and then realize that you've forgotten your password or haven't completed your continuing education requirements, you may not have time to resolve these issues before the deadline.

The COBC team will do its best to respond to questions and technical difficulties as quickly as we can, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you complete your renewal within the six-week renewal period.

What are these security questions about? Are they mandatory?
If you're logging in for the first time in a while, you'll see that you can now set up security questions to make for easier access to your COBC account in the future. You don't need to answer all the questions—just three!
Setting up your security questions now will save you time and effort in the future, as registrants who do not have security questions must contact COBC when they forget their password. You'll also need to set up your security questions before you can view receipts and other resources in the HOME tab of your profile.

I just registered or reinstated a few months ago. Do I need to renew too?
Yes! All opticians in the province renew their licences at the same time, regardless of their initial registration date. If you registered or reinstated recently, you may have paid a reduced fee at that time, in recognition that you would soon need to renew again.

Where can I find my renewal receipt (and other receipts)?
Within 1–3 business days of completing your renewal, you'll be able to download your 2022 receipt from the HOME tab of your online account (using the "Print Receipt" button).
You must set up your security questions in order to access the buttons in the HOME tab!

What will happen if I don't renew my licence by the March 31 deadline?
Registrants who fail to renew before March 31 may be charged late fees when they do renew, or they may have their licensure suspended. If you anticipate being unable to renew on time for any reason, please contact our team to discuss your options.

 

2022 Board Appointments

COBC is pleased to have Marty Semaniuk return to the Board for a second term, and to welcome Crystal Pollard for her first term!
 

Read the full announcement

Curious about the work of the COBC Board? Meeting minutes are publicly available on our website! You can also view a full list of our current Board Members and Committee Members.

 

Did you know?

There is an implicit power imbalance in every interaction you have with a client. As a trained professional, you have specialized skills and knowledge that your client does not have. You also have access to your client's private health information. Acknowledging how this power imbalance impacts your professional relationships is one of your ethical responsibilities. To learn more, check out COBC's Professional Boundaries booklet.

College of Opticians of BC operates on the traditional, ancestral and unceded Coast Salish territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

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